Morgan wasn't disappointed with Friday's crowd, but she said organizers were a little concerned about the effect of $4-per-gallon gas prices from the outset.

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"Hopefully, we are 'local' enough ... for people to make the trip," Morgan said.

In addition to the juried handmade crafts, traditional entertainment and artisan demonstrations, Morgan said organizers expanded activities for children - including a large inflatable play area - to try to attract more families to the festival.

Bob and Marge Rissler of Rochester, N.Y., couldn't remember where they purchased the carved Santa Claus until they happened upon Ray Briscoe's booth and his "Whimsical Woodcarvings."

"We've had it so long ..." said Rissler, who took interest in Briscoe's carving of Santa Claus "moonlighting" as the Easter Bunny, but didn't buy it.

"I love your stuff," Rissler told Briscoe after the couple with family ties to Charles Town, W.Va., combined the cash they had on hand to buy small carvings of an elephant and a donkey painted red, white and blue.

"He's the elephant, I'm the stubborn donkey," she said after having a bit of political discourse with Briscoe.

After the couple left his booth, Briscoe said he has been part of the festival for about 20 years.

"This is one of the first shows I started with," said Briscoe, who lives in Eastern Maryland.

A few yards from Briscoe's booth, Deborah Amoss said she and her mother, Mary Lou Riddle, have been coming back for years to share their talents of arranging dried flowers and potpourri with a number of repeat customers.

"We love being here," Amoss said after customizing a sconce arrangement for a couple looking for something that would go with "a lot of purple."